Scratches on pannier cases

[xcell1600]

What is the best way to remove scratches from the side pannier cases? I keep hitting them with my boot getting on and off the bike.

Thanks,

[tinytrains]

I find the outer case (lids) buff out nicely with Maguires auto polish. Do not get it on the inner case, it will turn white. I have the same problem. The cases on the 12 are quite high.

Scott

[JohnM]

As I was serving dirty water hotdogs for the attendees at Cross Country (NJ) BMW's demo fleet event yesterday, I noticed that several demo bikes had scuffs on their cases.

Since my R12R has them too, I've love to know whether I can rub them off. (Not anticipating a solution, though. They are in there deep.)

[Motorcycle_Girl]

I plan on covering mine with stickers of the places that I travel too...
I figure that I am going to keep bumping them with my boots so trying to get the scratches out would just be an exercise in futility...lol

Celeste

[Mollygrubber]

I've never heard a true solution, so I think we have to play the "adds character" card. Personally a few scratches and blemishes don't bother me. It's never going to be a concourse bike for me, it's a daily driver rain or shine.

[Ashveratu]

I like the scratches on my side cases, they add character!

[AllanCook]

The worst scratch on mine was put there by my daughter. I would never do anything to remove it.

[Mollygrubber]

...AWWWW...

[papasong]

What is the best way to remove scratches from the side pannier cases? I keep hitting them with my boot getting on and off the bike.

Thanks,

Me too (about hitting with boots)...

Does anyone use ArmorAll for this kind of thing? And what about the stock seat... Is there any reason that needs to be treated with anything on a regular basis in order to extend the life of the rubber/plastic/whatever it's made of? Would ArmorAll be good for seats?

[deilenberger]

Me too (about hitting with boots)...

Does anyone use ArmorAll for this kind of thing? And what about the stock seat... Is there any reason that needs to be treated with anything on a regular basis in order to extend the life of the rubber/plastic/whatever it's made of? Would ArmorAll be good for seats?

I'd suggest tossing the ArmorAll - it's really not good for much of anything, and in some cases has been known to damage the stuff it's supposed to be protecting.

I used it once on a seat - on my '74 Norton Commando. Went to take off and found just how slippery the seat had become when it was nice and shiny. My butt moved back, attempting to hang on resulted in me twisting on the throttle, which resulted in a very high wheelie. It was all I could do to pull myself back up and roll the throttle off. If I didn't have a sissy bar on that bike I would have been off it.

ArmorAll is basically a silicone based formula. It leaves a sticky, dust attracting coating on the surface of the plastic. It also fingerprints very easily.

Stuff I found that does work:

o - NuVinyl - a water based coating, rub on/wipe off excess, let dry. http://www.autobarn.net/chnv-300.html
o - 303 Protectorant - again - water based, made to protect plastics and other materials from UV damage from the sun. Leaves a nice subtle sheen to the surface. Wipe/spray on - wipe off excess. http://www.303products.com/shop303/inde ... ectant.cfm

[vroomr]

I used Mother's Back to Black for a gasoline splatter on one of my cases, on which it worked very well after a couple of applications over a few months. While it didn't do a great job on my heel marks, it did de-emphasize them. I apply it every few months, and it refreshes the panniers nicely. Great product.

I once sat in a car that had Armor-Alled leather seats, and kept sliding to the floor.

[ShinySideUp]

+1 on the 303 Protectant (Does that make "304"?)

Works for scuffs, but of course not for true scratches.

At this point in my R's history (35K miles), the best treatment is just to add more scuffs. Like my face, gives it "character."